MANNAR : Sixteen Tamil civilians escaped the Tiger - dominated area of VEDITHALATHIVU and sought refuge at fishing marshalling points at PASALAI and PALLIMUNAI in MANNAR manned jointly by the Navy and the Police today(16) around 6.30 a.m.

Nine persons, four females aged 68, 45, 25 and 23 years, the mother and daughters of families respectively and five male individuals aged 31, 22 ,18, 18 and 19 years, all in their young ages, appeared before the PESALAI Fishing Marshalling point by arriving boat after they had been dropped by another fishing craft a little distance away.

The seven (07) people who arrived at the PALLIMUNAI were all relatives, mother (38)' two sons (06 and 13 years), two daughters (16 and 17 years) of one family with the two daughters (17 and 18 years) of the elder sister of the mother. They too had trekked their way from the lagoon after being dropped by another fishing craft some distance away.

They had dared to take the risk of escaping to seek protection from the Security Forces due to the continuous harassment, forcible conscription and shortages of essential items.